Glycol Ethers Market Size To Reach $9.9 Billion By 2030

Glycol Ethers Market Growth & Trends

The global glycol ethers market size is anticipated to reach USD 9.9 billion in 2030 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2025 to 2030. Steady rise in demand for paints and coatings across developing countries is expected to drive the market.

Glycol ethers are unique products that combine the attributes of both alcohols and non-bases. The rise in demand for specialty chemicals has led manufacturers to engage in product innovation to develop offerings that perform the role of solvent along with being miscible in water. Although glycol ethers are obtained from crude oil derivatives, their lower carbon footprint has boosted popularity among application segments.

High foreign investment inflows into Asian markets have propelled the regional chemicals industry, providing impetus for glycol ether manufacturers to improve their capabilities. Asia Pacific is the largest consumer - accounting for nearly 50% of the global demand in 2017-and the fastest growing market, with majority of the demand trickling down to key end-uses, such as pharmaceuticals, personal care and cosmetics, and paints and coatings.

Paints and coatings application led the global market, with nearly 800 kilo tons being consumed in the production of architectural and automotive coatings and allied paint categories. In the post-recession era, internal rate of returns in the paints and coatings sector increased from 15.4% in 2009 to 25.1% in 2016, showing signs of stable growth with the sector being valued at over USD 130 billion globally. Concurrent to this trend, glycol ethers are expected to gain tremendous traction over the forecast period.

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Glycol Ethers Market Report Highlights

• The P-series segment held the largest revenue share in 2024, fueled by its versatile applications across various industries, including paints & coatings, cleaning products, and automotive.

• The paints & coatings segment held the largest share of 46.1% in 2024, owing to the essential role glycol ethers play in improving the performance and quality of paints.

• The pharmaceuticals segment is anticipated to be the fastest-growing segment and record a CAGR of 6.1% from 2025 to 2030.

• The shift toward products with low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and the growth of automotive and industrial manufacturing sectors are also anticipated to favor market growth.

• Asia Pacific glycol ethers market held the largest share of 50.3% in 2024.

Glycol Ethers Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global glycol ethers market report based on product, application, and region:

Glycol Ethers Product Outlook (Revenue, Kilotons, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

• E-series

  • E-series Glycol Ether

  • Ethylene Glycol Propyl Ether

  • Ethylene Glycol Butyl Ether Acetate

  • Others

• P-series

  • Methyl Ether

  • Butyl Ether

  • Methyl Ether Acetate

  • Others

Glycol Ethers Application Outlook (Revenue, Kilotons, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

• Paints & Coatings

• Printing

• Pharmaceuticals

• Cosmetics & Personal Care

• Electronics

• Others

Glycol Ethers Regional Outlook (Revenue,Kilotons, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

• North America

  • U.S.

  • Canada

  • Mexico

• Europe

  • Germany

  • UK

  • France

• Asia Pacific

  • China

  • India

  • Japan

  • Thailand

  • Indonesia

  • Malaysia

• Central & South America

  • Brazil

• Middle East & Africa

  • Saudi Arabia

List of Key Players in Glycol Ethers Market

• BASF SE

• LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V.

• Eastman Chemical Company

• Dow Chemical Company

• Ineos Oxide

• SABIC

• NIPPON NYUKAZAI CO., LTD.

• Sasol

• FBC Chemicals

• KH Neochem Co. Ltd.